Manchester United's Anderson Gambit: Can They Steal Nottingham Forest's Prized Midfielder from City?

The battle for Elliot Anderson is heating up, and it's far from a two-horse race despite appearances. Manchester City have emerged as favourites to land the Nottingham Forest sensation, yet Manchester United are quietly plotting an alternative route to the prized midfielder this summer.

Anderson has developed into one of the Premier League's most impressive operators over recent seasons, transforming himself into exactly the kind of talent both Manchester clubs would kill for. An England international with serious pedigree, he's become the focal point of transfer gossip as the window approaches—and with good reason.

City currently hold the advantage, having secured the player's blessing on a potential move. But United aren't waving the white flag just yet. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Red Devils very much harbour ambitions of muscling in on the deal.

"City are the front runners and have got player buy-in. But Manchester United haven't given up either," Jacobs explained. "If Manchester United try, suddenly Nottingham Forest have got a bidding war, and it makes it even harder for either Manchester club to get a price below 100 million pounds."

The prospect of genuine competition could transform this entire saga. Marinakis, Forest's owner, represents the real wildcard here—and therein lies the complication for both suitors.

The Nottingham chief is notoriously unpredictable in negotiations. Unlike the straightforward dealings you might expect with clubs such as Brighton or Bournemouth, where a price eventually emerges, Marinakis operates on an entirely different wavelength. He could accept £90m one morning, demand £200m the next, and declare the player unsellable after that.

"He's a wild card in any negotiation," Jacobs noted. "There's not really a clear timeline here."

Anderson's value could climb even higher if England enjoys a successful World Cup campaign. The longer matters drag on, the steeper the asking price becomes—a reality both Manchester clubs understand only too well. Patience, it seems, is a luxury neither can afford.